TL;DR
Untested structure mismatches during a Salesforce to HubSpot migration can lead to data loss, broken automations, and unreliable reports. CEOs and CTOs must prioritise structured testing to protect data integrity and business continuity. Testing in a sandbox, validating field mapping, and running pilot migrations help identify and resolve mismatches before they impact live operations.
Every system migration carries hidden risks that can quietly derail business continuity. When shifting from Salesforce to HubSpot, structural differences in data models, automations, and workflows can create inconsistencies that ripple across teams. A robust data testing process before going live is not just a technical step but a business safeguard. Leaders who embed testing into their migration strategy ensure a seamless transition, protecting both customer relationships and revenue streams.
What Is Migration Testing and Why Does It Matter?
Migration testing verifies that every data point, automation, and relationship moves from Salesforce to HubSpot accurately. This helps ensure that the new environment mirrors business operations, keeping sales, marketing, and service teams aligned. Without testing, leaders risk fragmented customer histories, skewed reports, and disjointed workflows that undermine decision-making.
Why Should You Test Before Going Live?
Testing protects the integrity of both your data and your business performance. Structural mismatches, such as missing fields or incompatible object types, can disrupt automation, slow deal cycles, and distort analytics. By conducting structured testing, leaders can confirm that every workflow functions as expected, preventing operational and financial setbacks.
How Can You Test Effectively Before Migration?
1. Build a safe HubSpot sandbox for testing
Create a sandbox environment that mirrors your Salesforce setup. This lets teams validate workflows, field mapping, and data relationships without affecting live systems. Early sandbox testing highlights compatibility issues, helping you make corrections well before launch.
2. Map objects and relationships strategically
Document how contacts, deals, opportunities, and custom fields translate to HubSpot. Proper mapping ensures business meaning is retained, allowing teams to maintain accurate reporting and customer context after migration.
3. Run pilot migrations before the full move
Start with a limited dataset to test accuracy and performance. Review how each record behaves in HubSpot, checking automations and dependencies. These pilots uncover hidden mismatches that could otherwise surface during full-scale deployment.
4. Validate and reconcile data accuracy
After migration, use reconciliation tools to compare record counts, field values, and timestamps between systems. Combine automation and manual verification to ensure that the migrated data truly represents your business reality.
5. Involve teams to preserve real-world context
Invite sales, marketing, and service users to test and provide feedback. Their hands-on experience helps spot missing data or broken dashboards, ensuring that HubSpot reflects how your teams actually operate.
Takeaways
- Testing preserves business continuity and data integrity.
- HubSpot sandboxes and pilot migrations enable risk-free validation.
- Team involvement ensures workflows stay relevant and efficient.
- A test-first approach transforms migration risk into predictable success.
FAQs
- Why do structure mismatches happen between Salesforce and HubSpot?
Salesforce allows deep customisation, while HubSpot follows a more standardised data structure. Without proper field mapping, customer context and relationships may be lost. - What’s the biggest mistake companies make during migration?
Assuming systems are fully compatible and skipping testing phases. This often leads to broken automations and reporting errors. - When should testing begin?
Begin as soon as initial mappings are drafted. Early pilot migrations reveal mismatches early and reduce rework. - How can we keep both systems aligned during transition?
Use synchronisation tools or middleware to maintain consistency and schedule regular data audits.
